In the Old Testament we hear many stories of exile. The Jewish people were very familiar with being forced to flee from their home. The exiles to Babylon and to Egypt are the most famous examples of this. They knew what it was to be without the comfort and security of being in their own home. Jesus too was familiar with the type of experience Khalid had. He was a refugee as a child in Egypt and all throughout his public ministry he was an itinerant preacher.
Since 1962 Burma has been ruled by the army who have continued to attack religious and ethnic minorities, burning villages, arresting people and forcing thousands into forced labour. Almost 1 million people have been forced to leave their homes and more than 150,000 have fled to temporary refugee camps along the Thai/Burma border.
Trócaire continues to campaign for change in Burma while also supporting and educating those living in refugee camps. This Lent we ask that you support the people of Burma and other oppressed minorities around the world by donating to Trócaire this Lent. For more information log onto www.trocaire.org/lent
Insítear go leor scéalta sa Sean-Tiomna maidir le deoraíocht. Bhí sean-taithí ar na Giúdaigh ar bheith díbeartha óna mbaile. Is iad deoraíocht na nGiúdach sa Bhablóin agus san Éigipt na samplaí is cáiliúla. Thuig siad go maith an easpa shócúlacht agus sábháilteacht a bhíonn ann nuair nach féidir leat fanacht i do theach cónaithe féin.
Tá Burma faoi riail an airm ó 1962 ar aghaidh; arm a dhéanann ionsaithe ar mhionlaigh reiligiúnacha agus eitneacha, a loisceann sráidbhailte, a ghabhann daoine mar phríosúnaigh agus a bhrúnn na mílte daoine isteach in obair éigeantais. Díbríodh beagnach milliúin duine óna mbailte agus tá breis agus 15,000 acu anois i gcampaí sealadacha do theifigh ar an teorainn idir Burma agus an Téalainn.
Leanfaidh Trócaire leis an bhfeachtas atá againn le coinníollacha níos fearr a bhaint amach i mBurma, agus leanfaimid freisin le hoideachas agus tacaíocht a chur ar fáil dóibh siúd atá ina gcónaí sna campaí do theifigh. An Carghas seo, iarraimid do thacaíocht ar a son. www.trocaire.org/lent
